One of the most beloved JRPG series from the PS1 and PS2 era is Suikoden. It didn't reach the mainstream heights of games like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Tales of series. It does, however, have one of the most dedicated fanbases in the genre. Thanks to the announcement of Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars, Konami realizes the series' value by giving it a second chance.
Despite its age, Suikoden remains one of the most ambitious JRPG series on any platform. The series spans many generations and has alternate dimensions. Thankfully, each title works as a standalone without prior knowledge of its predecessors, but to play the Suikoden series as a whole to appreciate what the JRPG has to offer. Hopefully, Konami will remaster the rest of the series after Suikoden 1 and 2. In the meantime, there are other JRPGs that fans of deep political stories, strong character development, and world-building should consider.
7 Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising
- Released: 2022
- Developer: Natsami Atari
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
On the surface, this side-scrolling action RPG doesn't look like it has much in common with the Suikoden series. However, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is a backstory to the upcoming Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is the spiritual successor to Suikoden, and its gameplay will closely resemble the first two games in scope and scale.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is a fun little title that focuses on town-building mechanics and introduces a world that looks and feels similar to the Suikoden series. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, is headed by Suikoden creator Yoshitaka Murayama and other members of the Suikoden team.
6 Vandal Hearts 1 & 2
- Released: 1997 and 1999
- Developer: Konami
- Platform: PS1
As a game developed by the same studio and launched around the same time, Vandal Hearts captures the same magic as Suikoden. It has many of the same magic and sound effects as Suikoden. The gaming worlds aren't connected, but the mature themes of war and cruelty are prominent in both titles.
Vandal Hearts is also a great title in the turn-based tactical RPG genre, and serves well as an introduction to the genre. It's easy to pick up, offers excellent stories, and has challenging gameplay. Vandal Hearts doesn't have the massive scope of Suikoden, but the stories of war and friendship tick the same boxes. Vandal Hearts 2 is arguably the darker of the two games, with branching storylines and a story that follows the protagonist from childhood to adulthood.
5 Triangle Strategy
- Released: 2022
- Developer: Square Enix and Artdink
- Platform: Nintendo Switch and a PC version to launch in October 2022
Triangle Strategy, like Vandal Hearts, is an accessible tactical RPG with mature themes and a deep storyline rooted in friendship, loss, and politics. Suikoden 5 borrows cues from a Game of Thrones with its tales of feuding nobility and mad royals corrupted by power.
Another aspect that Suiko 5 and Triangle Strategy share is dialogue choices that impact the story. Players have to navigate a cutthroat world of politics and backstabbing. Turn-based tactical RPG Triangle Strategy is a slow burn, but fans of Suikoden's plot, sub-stories, and excellent character development will love Triangle Strategy.
4 Chrono Cross - Radical Dreamers Edition
- Released: PS1 original launched in 1999, Radical Dreamers Edition launched in 2022.
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platform: PC, PS1, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One
If one is less interested in politics and dark narratives and more attracted to recruiting multiple characters, dialogue choices, and various endings, look no further than Chrono Cross. The Radical Dreamers Edition is the perfect opportunity for new players to jump into its world on newer systems.
Chrono Cross is a surprisingly deep multidimensional plot that's a sequel to the iconic SNES JRPG Chrono Trigger. The Radical Dreamers text adventure ties the two games together, while Chrono Cross focuses on a new cast of characters. There are 45 party members to recruit, but unlike Suikoden 1 and 2's 108 Stars of Destiny, they can't all join the protagonist in one playthrough.
3 Exit Fate
- Released: 2009
- Developer: SCFWorks
- Platform: PC - Freeware
Exit Fate is as much a love letter to the Suikoden series as it is a clone. It follows many of the story beats, such as coming of age and friendships separated by war and conflict. However, the developer makes the story their own.
Exit Fate is free to download, which is surprising considering how well-crafted and put together the game is. The RPG doesn't appear to try and be a spiritual successor, but instead a tribute to one of the best JRPG series of all time. Exit Fate is worthy of any Suikoden fan's time, and it's a 40-50 hour adventure that lives up to its inspirations.
2 Final Fantasy Tactics - War Of The Lions
- Released: PS1 original launched in 1998, and the PSP Remaster in 2007
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platform: iOS, PS1, and PSP
Another game that's often compared to Game of Thrones and the Suikoden series, thanks to its politically-charged narrative, is Final Fantasy Tactics. Like Game of Thrones, Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions alludes to the history and bloodshed tied to the historical events during the War of the Roses.
In addition, Final Fantasy Tactics features stellar character development with the main cast, and its world-building can rival the best in the genre. Moreover, FFT is highly replayable and challenging even for veterans of the tactical RPG genre.
1 The Legend Of Heroes - The Trails Series
- Released: 2004 to present
- Developer: Nihon Falcom
- Platform: PC, PSP, PS Vita, PS3, PS4, PS5, and Switch
If there is one series that can match Suikoden in scope and world-building lore, it's the Trails series. A part of The Legend of Heroes universe, the Trails series began with the Trails in the Sky trilogy and continued with the Trails of Cold Steel. Positive reactions from fans and critics alike have led to the long-awaited prequels Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure being localized and released in the west between 2022 and 2023. In addition, the spin-off The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails will also hit western shores in late 2023.
The developers Falcom have shown an incredible commitment to and passion for the overall saga. It's the same kind of grand world-building across several titles that fans of Suikoden will appreciate and love. There aren't multiple characters to recruit, but the sheer ambition and magnitude of the world that Falcom has created are unrivaled.
Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster will be available in 2023 for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.